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Benedict XVI-New Pope Hits Out at Harry Potter Books
Contact Music News ^ | 4/24/05

Posted on 04/26/2005 7:55:47 AM PDT by gopwinsin04

NEW POPE HITS OUT AT HARRY POTTER BOOKS

The new pope Benedict XVI has blasted JK Rowlings Harry Potter books for 'undermining the soul of Chirstianity.'

His predecessor, John Paul II, had praised the mutilmillionairness for her Christian lifestyle in the past.

The former Cardinal Joeseph Ratizinger is grateful to 'Good or Bad' author Gabrielle Kuby for revealing the hidden agendas behind the popular childrens books.

He said, 'it is good that you explain the facts of Harry Potter, because this is subtle seduction, which is deeply unnoticed and has direct effects in undermining the soul of Christianity before it can really grow porperly.'

(Excerpt) Read more at contactmusic.com ...


TOPICS:
KEYWORDS: gabrielekuby; greatpope; harrypotter; kuby; ratzinger
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To: LIConFem

I agree with you.


41 posted on 04/26/2005 8:27:12 AM PDT by Calpernia (Breederville.com)
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To: retrokitten

If it doesn't clash with my Illuminati meeting, I'll be there.


42 posted on 04/26/2005 8:28:20 AM PDT by TheBigB (Proudly annoying stupid people since 1970!)
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To: gopwinsin04


I am a Christian.

What about The Lord of the Rings? Tolkien was a devout Catholic and is credited with being C.S. Lewis' biggest reason for becoming a Christian.

It is fantasy, yes. It is not reality. I personally feel that LOTR is better literature and does a better job of defining good and evil. However, I read books 4 and 5, and seen the movies, 1, 2 and 3 of the HP series, and do feel that it is decent literature, particularly considering that it is written in a post-modern culture by a European.

It is very accurate to state that power is tempting and has a tendency to corrupt. Saruman fell to the temptation of power in LOTR, and one would expect Harry P to be fighting those temptations. Aniken (sp?) Skywalker fell to to the Dark Side (unrelated sorry).

I also found the references to HP in the article to be misrepresented and taken out of context... severely.

Although I appreciate anybody championing for a Christian worldview, misrepresentation only harms that cause.

C.S. Lewis' Chronicles of Narnia and Tolkien's Lord of the Rings are both excellent examples of Christian-authored fantasy that are widely praised.

I cannot squarely place the HP series in with these two, but having attended to the all 5 currently available HP stories, and having read LOTR at least 5 times in their entirety, and thaving read several of the Chronicle's of Narnia books, I cannot pillory HP as demonic nor evil.

The HP series pits good vs. evil palpably, and the books' struggles are full of personal sacrifice for cause and friendship. Harry's friends take big risks to help Harry and each other. They do fight with authority when authority is astray. But, then there is the whole protestant movement, no?

Harry, if you pardon the expression, is kind of an ass. Because the story is from his viewpoint, we can see that the character the Rolling has created is self-absorbed, often selfish, but generally comes back to himself, does the right thing, and then feels a fool for his previous failures of understanding.

Synopsis... Article misrepresents HP. Stories are entertaining and are less harmful than reading the newspaper... With parental guidance, may be as useful as other fables in illustrating god vs. evil, sacrifice, honor, etc.


43 posted on 04/26/2005 8:30:27 AM PDT by Miykayl
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To: TheBigB

Haven't you got a build-a-burger get together as well?


44 posted on 04/26/2005 8:30:27 AM PDT by gopwinsin04
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To: gopwinsin04

I like Pope Benedict, and I also like Harry Potter books. They tickle my imagination, and I have yet to doubt my Christianity in favor of becoming a wiccan or something silly like that.


45 posted on 04/26/2005 8:31:15 AM PDT by Not A Snowbird (Official RKBA Landscaper and Arborist, Pajama Duchess of Green Leafy Things)
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To: Antoninus

""The Vatican feels it has the copyright on what is good and what is evil and it does not want anyone else infringing its right to this monopoly. "

Well lady. That's why he's the POPE and you're not!

Uta's just a little ticked off cause the Pope won't allow Gay marriages or Gay priests.


46 posted on 04/26/2005 8:31:34 AM PDT by Bigh4u2 (Denial is the first requirement to be a liberal)
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To: retrokitten

I have it on good advice that if you play the soundtrack to "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets" backwards, it says "Vote Hillary! in 2008" over and over.


47 posted on 04/26/2005 8:31:37 AM PDT by kevkrom (If people are free to do as they wish, they are almost certain not to do as Utopian planners wish)
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To: retrokitten

oh brudder ;-)


48 posted on 04/26/2005 8:32:48 AM PDT by tiredoflaundry (If you think pushing 40 is hard, try dragging it!)
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To: gopwinsin04; TheBigB
Haven't you got a build-a-burger get together as well?

Is that next to the Build A Bear in the mall?

49 posted on 04/26/2005 8:33:26 AM PDT by retrokitten (Those eagles, like angels, don't distinguish between work and play.To them, it's all one in the same)
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To: Miykayl
Personally, I can't wait for 'The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe' to come out on film.

It was one of my favorite books as a child.

50 posted on 04/26/2005 8:33:34 AM PDT by gopwinsin04
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To: gopwinsin04
The Bilderbergers are silly pretenders. We are the real power, and we exercise it through...Harry Potter books! Mu-wah-hah-hah!

51 posted on 04/26/2005 8:34:15 AM PDT by TheBigB (Proudly annoying stupid people since 1970!)
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To: dfwgator
I watched one of the movies, and I just don't get what is so great about Harry Potter.

The movies don't do the books justice, especially #3.

52 posted on 04/26/2005 8:34:29 AM PDT by Not A Snowbird (Official RKBA Landscaper and Arborist, Pajama Duchess of Green Leafy Things)
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To: kevkrom
I have it on good advice that if you play the soundtrack to "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets" backwards, it says "Vote Hillary! in 2008" over and over.

Right after it says, "Ron is dead!"

53 posted on 04/26/2005 8:34:35 AM PDT by retrokitten (Those eagles, like angels, don't distinguish between work and play.To them, it's all one in the same)
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To: SandyInSeattle

"and I have yet to doubt my Christianity in favor of becoming a wiccan or something silly like that."

But what of 'young heads full of mush'?

You probably made your decision to be Christian based on the teachings of your parents and church.

But what of the young impressionable minds out there that might find being a 'wizard' or 'witch' exciting?

Considering the lack of control by many parents nowadays, I can see a real problem with them being influenced by these books and movies.


54 posted on 04/26/2005 8:34:48 AM PDT by Bigh4u2 (Denial is the first requirement to be a liberal)
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To: Antoninus
Harry Potter is cleverly done, but the plot-lines are totally uninspired.

So are the3 Sherlock Holmes plots, and most of Dickens. Shakespeare is littered with cliches.

Good luck selling your inspired stuff.

55 posted on 04/26/2005 8:35:29 AM PDT by js1138 (e unum pluribus)
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To: gopwinsin04

Good on the Pope! Its about time that pop-culture be given its walking papers.


56 posted on 04/26/2005 8:35:46 AM PDT by NEBUCHADNEZZAR1961
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To: Antoninus

Good and evil are very clearly defined in HP. Good is having a desire to help people and protect those less powerful, evil is the desire to control people especially those less powerful. There certainly is better stuff out there for Christians, but that doesn't make HP bad for Christians, sometimes everybody has to relax and entertain themselves.


57 posted on 04/26/2005 8:35:46 AM PDT by discostu (quis custodiet ipsos custodes)
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To: Pyro7480
I have read the book and must admit they are entertaining and well done, but I am an adult. One thing is for sure it glorifies witchcraft. That in of itself is cause for alarm when dealing with children but then so does much of what passes for Halloween celebration in this country. A Christian festival but how many in this country know that fact? Popular culture has done a fine job of paganizing it out of all recognition. Perhaps it is time to push back. I have no problem with starting with the Harry Potter books.

As to those who cite Churchmen it justify the series, you will have to do better than that. There are Theologians in Catholic seminaries who teach doubt in the Resurrection and the Virgin Birth. A random selection out of the phone book could get more sound Catholic doctrine than what spills out of the mouth of some quarters of the Church.
58 posted on 04/26/2005 8:36:04 AM PDT by Mark in the Old South (Sister Lucia of Fatima pray for us)
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To: farmer18th

My teenage son is an avid reader. He devours books. Reads lots of fiction, classic and modern. Some of his favorites are Hemingway, Dickens, Twain, Rawlings, Cussler, etc. (Old Man and the Sea one of his favorites...must be a guy thing, LOL, I thought it was depressing.)

He's not really into fantasy/fiction, but did enjoy the Hobbit and Tolkein's Ring trilogy.

That being said, he loves Harry Potter books because he says they're fun. I don't think "great writing" is what makes these books appealing, I think it's more the fantasy element.


59 posted on 04/26/2005 8:36:26 AM PDT by dawn53
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To: SandyInSeattle

Ditto, I love Harry Potter books, but it's not the Bible I use to live my life.


60 posted on 04/26/2005 8:36:49 AM PDT by tiredoflaundry (If you think pushing 40 is hard, try dragging it!)
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